The Southern Utah Travel Guide is a resource for those planning a road trip in the region. It covers Scenic Byway Utah-12, which travels through some of the most rugged, remote yet beautiful landscapes in the country, from US-89 to Boulder, Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and nearby national parks and monuments. Details include descriptions, links to many references, and maps.

(12) Escalante River – One of premiere places to hike in exotic sandstone canyons. River can be hiked from town of Escalante to Lake Powell. Of even more interest are the dozens of unusual side canyons, featuring slot canyons, arches, and more.

(6) Kodachrome Basin State Park – Colorful and unusual scenery created by the erosion of sandstone. Many massive sandstone chimneys and unique formations called sand pipes. Good hiking and camping.

(7) Utah-12, Scenic Byway – The most scenic section of Highway-12, east of Escalante town, featuring spectacular views of the “sandstone ocean” from the Head of the Rocks and the thrilling climb of the Hogback.’,

(7a) The Hogback – Most scenic section of Utah-12.

(8) Escalante State Park – Just outside of Escalante town, park features good camping, a pond for swimming and fishing, and hiking through a petrified wood area.

(16) Capitol Reef National Park – Features numerous large scale geologic features including the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust known as a monocline.

(17) Lake Powell – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area – Lake features water recreation, boat tours, fishing, spectacular scenery. Center of activities at Wahweap Marina at west end of lake (off US-89 north of Page).

(10a) Hole-in-the-Rock – Historic crossing of Colorado River by Mormon settlers. Steps blasted into cliff created a trail at a 45 degree slope.

(12) Escalante River – One-lane bridge over Escalante River. Generally good hiking in and along the river.

Great Destinations in The American West

AmericanWestTravel.com offers commentary and information on great travel destinations in the American West,
accompanied by thousands of beautiful photographs. Our focus is on outdoor recreation and beautiful scenery,
but we also include many cultural, educational, historical and lifestyle features, in order to show the
diversity of the American West.